which refers to an ore washing operation on a ridge. Amalgamations On 1 January 1999 came Waschleithe's amalgamation with Beierfeld. On 1 January 2005 came Grünhain's and Beierfeld's amalgamation, along with a name change to Grünhain-Beierfeld. Culture and sightseeing Museums Zur Heimatecke exhibition in Waschleithe Herkules-Frisch-Glück demonstration mine in Waschleithe Beierfeld Red Cross Museum Music Original Grünhainer Jagdhornbläser (“hunting horn blowers”) Buildings Remains of the Grünhain Cistercian monastery Ruins of Saint Oswald's Church (Dudelskirche) in Waschleithe Peter-Pauls Kirche in Beierfeld St. Nicolai Kirche in Grünhain König-Albert-Turm (King Albert Tower) Parks Natur- und Wildpark Waschleithe (nature and wilderness park) Sport Naturbad Grünhain (“nature bath”) Regular events Löffelmacherfest in Beierfeld (spoonmakers’ festival) Klosterfestspiele in Grünhain (“monastery festival games”) Harzerfest in Waschleithe The three festivals are held in turn, one each year. Economy and infrastructure Transport Grünhain-Beierfeld is not connected to any other community by Federal Highway (Bundesstraße); however, the most important connections are the road to Schwarzenberg, near which runs the Bundesstraße 101, and the road to Zwönitz to a feeder road to the Bundesautobahn 72. Media Kabel Journal Education 2 primary schools 1 middle school 1 vocational school centre Famous people Sons and daughters of the town Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630), Thomanerchor Kantor, born in Grünhain Fritz Körner (1873-1930), Ore Mountain dialect poet, born in Waschleithe, died in Beierfeld Liselotte Pieser (1917-1998), economist and politician (CDU), Member of the Bundestag, born in Beierfeld People with connections to the town Kunz von Kaufungen (ca. 1410-1455), mastermind of the Altenburg Princely Robbery, was caught near Waschleithe Johann Gabriel Löbel (1635–1696), glassworks owner and pig iron producer, died in Grünhain Thomas Köhler (1940- ), double Olympic medallist in luge, lived for a time in Beierfeld Ortrun Enderlein (1943- ), luge competitor, worked at the Beierfeld measuring instrument works References External links Town's official website Erzgebirgskreis